M25 40 Ton Tank Transporter "Dragon Wagon"

[Sherman 18]

My entry is Tamiya's 1/35 scale M25 40 Ton Tank Transporter.

Go big or go home? :facepalm

Tractor and trailer - not sure what I've gotten myself into :idonno

 

[SA Dave]

Are you going to get the Big Ed set for this one?

 

[Sherman 18]

Are you going to get the Big Ed set for this one?

Thinking of biting the bullet and get, the Voyager Model sets, Shapeways chain set and Click2detail parts

 

[lupanzer]

This must be cool :coolio ...

Luiz

 

[SA Dave]

Are you going to get the Big Ed set for this one?

Thinking of biting the bullet and get, the Voyager Model sets, Shapeways chain set and Click2detail parts

Oh yes thats the ticket!!!!!!

 

[moon puppy]

Are you going to get the Big Ed set for this one?

Thinking of biting the bullet and get, the Voyager Model sets, Shapeways chain set and Click2detail parts

You'd be a huckleberry if you do it...

 

[Swordsman]

Nice Choice Jeff looking forward to this one ... I know you'll do it right ... I've seen your work somewhere before ... :woohoo: :woohoo:

 

[MrT]

Holy Moley! You must be thinking EagleQuest next year.

 

[jknaus]

This should be fun.
James

 

[Hippy Ed]

Are you going to get the Big Ed set for this one?

Thinking of biting the bullet and get, the Voyager Model sets, Shapeways chain set and Click2detail parts

You'd be a huckleberry if you do it...

Ditto!!

:captain :geek

 

[Sherman 18]

As part of my homework of research on this, research is one of the most fun things to do with scale modeling I think. Sometimes I enjoy it more. I can never have to many pictures. Yes I'm a right clicker. :evil:

I start with internet research. Google is my friend on research, Facebook is becoming a good source for pictures and units. You have guys/gals sharing on pages there. Military unit web pages sometimes have something, every now and then you can get a good a count on how equipment was used. For cars Ebay Motors and auction sites are great. Internet is a good way to locate books on subjects Amazon and Ebay is where I generally go first for books.

On the M25 I kinda knew I wanted the LCM 3 on the back, I just can't pass that up. I started with Google and entered Rhine crossing WWII, then US Navy at the Rhine, then LCM on Dragon Wagon and so on. Most of the time I got the same pictures or information, but one picture of a White 6X6 I clicked on took to a page about the M25 and had some neat pictures, so you never know. For detail pictures and walk around type photos I would enter M25, Dragon Wagon, M26, tank transporter, US Army WWII tank transporter, etc to find pictures.

Below are some of sites I've found and book marked for the M25 40 ton tank transporter;

This is one of the better finds for the Dragon Wagon
http://www.easy39th.com/files/TM_9-767_40-ton_Tank_Transporter_Truck-Trailer_M25_1944.pdf

more good ones
http://www.dse.nl/~vrzaob/wc52/joesstory.html
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mtygf/county/m26.htm

even a Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/M25-Dragon-Wagon-in-WWII/417580594992591

Some of the pictures I have found and right clicked to print later

Some in action pictures

this is a great picture,

did you look at the tires and see one is not a combat tire

This is my favorite picture of a LCM 3 on the M25

Walk around shots found on the web that I right clicked

This another nice couple shots of a restored M26 tractor that someone has been out working it. you can see how the chain oil and mud are on the lever operator shield. They say a Dragon Wagon never got lost as it could follow it's own oil trail back.

I found these pictures on Ebay Motors this last weekend of a couple M15 trailer axles for sale

This black tool box is not included with the kit :hmmm but the brackets on the floor are there

I'll post the books later, I got a lead on some that I don't have at a book store in the Denver area. Just happen to be going to Denver this weekend hyeah

 

[moon puppy]

So that's what you got planned for your Higgins Boat?

 

[Sherman 18]

So that's what you got planned for your Higgins Boat?

Oh yeah

I'm Sherman 18 and I have a modeling problem :facepalm

 

[moon puppy]

My dream build would be the scene in "They Were Expendable" where they haul off one of the boats.

 

[MrT]

Nice work! Enough to start are own research library...... :hmmm

 

[Swordsman]

Yes what He said ... I've always loved the photos Jeff ... Question how'd you get the shoot of the dauntless cockpit that's hanging from the ceiling ??? and as for "They Were Expendable" Now I have to go and rent a movie ... Thanks MP !!! ... Also Jeff you need to get those axles ...

 

[wds]

Sherman 18 wrote: I'm Sherman 18 and I have a modeling problem :facepalm

"....Hi Sherman 18........"

Me too.
Looking forward to seeing how this plays out. Good luck and smooth sailing.
Thanks for posting up all the links. I don't think that I have seen any of those before.

Cheers,

Bill

 

[Sherman 18]

Thanks guys.

Well I went and started ordering the fancy parts for this. So far three Voyager Models sets, one Royal Models set, two Click2detail items. Still want another Voyager Model set, might wait and see where all this stuff takes me.

I need to correct myself and say there no parts available from Shapeways for the M26 or M25, I was thinking they did the chain for the drives but that is Click2detail items only.

Found some more pictures of Dragon Wagon

In the field

Hmmm.... non-combat tire on the front

Looks to have different type of combat tires, also some of the tires are just about worn out

 

[MrT]

 

[Sherman 18]

The books I'm using for this project.

While not the Dragon Wagon, it is what's going on it. I picked up a used Time&Life book Across The Rhine. This one picture of some LCM's is sweet;

The lower right LCM, 323

here is from internet search

and again

hard to believe three photos of the same boat

The middle left LCM I think is this one from an internet search